Evidence of meeting #11 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was enforcement.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
I'm afraid we're going have to end it there. I send regrets to Mr. Connors.
I just want to mention to Mr. Fleck and Mr. Hutchings that if there is more evidence you would like to submit to the committee, you can do so in writing afterwards. That will be considered as we're preparing our report.
Executive Director, Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association
Mr. Chair, I would also invite the committee to pose any questions that they would have for me in writing and I will reply as well.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you so much, Mr. Fleck.
Mr. Deschênes, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Mr. Fleck, you mentioned in your testimony that the connection between what is happening in the field and the decisions of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or DFO, isn't always optimal, and that adequate consultation with fishers and fishing stakeholders is lacking.
You're not the first one to say that. What would you propose to ensure that Fisheries and Oceans Canada can make decisions based more on the reality in the field?
Executive Director, Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association
I think there would need to be greater communication and formal communication for decisions made in one division of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, be it on resources management, aboriginal fisheries or licensing. There needs to be more discussion in a formal format.
When they're trying to come up with these decisions that might look great on paper or in theory they think they are going to work, when it gets into the hands of a fishery officer they will say that you don't have the law enforcement experience or the legal training. This is unenforceable. It might sound great, but they've violated a section of the charter or it's just not enforceable. It might sound good, but it will not work in practicality.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Basically, what you're proposing is that office doors be opened within DFO and that people talk to each other more.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
To hear from fishers and fishing industry representatives, would you say that new mechanisms need to be put forward?
Executive Director, Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association
Technology is always evolving. We're now facing electronic log books and electronic reporting of catch sold and where through the provincial legislation. All of that stuff could be analyzed, compiled and shared so it's not in just one group. We have to open those lines of communication.
It's not only to be heard, you have to be listened to, and vice versa.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
I have one last quick question.
Section 2.5 of the Fisheries Act lays out the factors to be considered and indicates that the minister may consider them, but is not required to do so. A suggestion is currently circulating to limit the minister's discretionary power by forcing her to consider the factors provided in section 2.5, including the sustainability of fisheries, scientific information, and social, economic and cultural factors in the management of fisheries.
What do you think of that suggestion?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Give a very brief answer. You can expand on that in writing as well.
Executive Director, Brazil Rock 33/34 Lobster Association
Okay.
Yes, the fish harvesters have to be listened to and they have to be given the equal weight of other people. An ENGO should not have the same weight as a person who is fishing. The ENGOs are well backed, they have lots of money. They can put all of that stuff in, whereas a non-profit is not going to be able to attend these meetings and compile all of this data.
Thank you.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Deschênes.
I want to thank our witnesses for their testimony today. It's going to be very helpful as we're putting together our report and the recommendations that are going to be flowing to government on the basis of that.
I would like to excuse the witnesses.
I know that Mr. Arnold wanted to bring something forward. Hopefully we can address it very quickly before we adjourn.
Mr. Arnold, I'll turn the floor over to you.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I have had discussions with all parties. I'd like to seek unanimous support to move the following motion and have it pass, if possible, today.
I move:
That, whereas the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development tabled reports in Parliament on November 6, 2025, including a report titled “Establishing Marine Protected Areas”, the Committee invite the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to appear with his officials for a two-hour meeting and provide testimony related to his report titled “Establishing Marine Protected Areas”, and that testimony received in this meeting be included in evidence for the committee’s upcoming study of marine and coastal protections.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Patrick Weiler
Thank you, Mr. Arnold.
Would anybody like to say anything about this?
Are we all in agreement?
(Motion agreed to)
Thank you very much, everybody.
With that, the meeting is adjourned.